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The Writing Life cover art

The Writing Life

By: Annie Dillard
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
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Summary

With color, irony, and sensitivity, Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Dillard illuminates the dedication, absurdity, and daring that is the writer’s life. As it probes and exposes, examines and analyzes, The Writing Life offers deeper insight into one of the most mysterious of professions.

©1989 Annie Dillard (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Annie Dillard is a wonderful writer, and The Writing Life is full of joys.” ( New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about The Writing Life

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Words beyond words

I expected to learn something refreshing and worthwhile from this book - I didn’t expect to be drawn into the world of a gentle genius. This quiet, riveting book felt like receiving a sideways glance from an angelic being, like the invitation of a zen master to kneel down with her for a cup of tea. The power of it steals upon you. You find yourself mirrored in its passages, humbled, longing to merit its wisdom. You reach the end knowing that you have held the fleeting beauty of a dragonfly in the palm of your hand and, as it leaves you, that never again will you chance upon it for the first time.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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too much self helpie

a bit boring. too much focus on lame examples with a awful tendency to self help.

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awful

egotistical bore! stay away, I can't imagine anyone finishing this book, as I fell asleep everytime, Zzz

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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extraordinary

This is a book to savour and go immediately to the beginning and listen again

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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A bit waffly

To be honest, it was a pleasant listen but I didn’t really see the point.

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Enjoyable

Not a how to book but a life and experience lived as a writer, through the eyes of a writer. Pleasantly surprised and beautifully read.

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